Hollybank
The Forest Education Foundation’s Project Forest DVD has a wealth of information that can enhance student’s appreciation of the ecology, management and history associated with Hollybank. The reserve covers an area of 140 hectares and since July 1977 has been managed by Forestry Tasmania as a recreational reserve. Hollybank’s European history dates from the early 1850’s when it was cleared for farming, became the site of a failed Ash plantation venture, became a Forest Reserve and is now also the site of the Treetops Adventure tourism experience. The reserve contains a mixture of dry and wet eucalypt forest communities, small plantations of various species, open areas for games and a number of walking tracks providing access to all parts of the reserve.
Foundations of one of two early homesteads on the siteThe site is of significant historical interest. Europeans first used the site as a source of timber. It was the site of an early timber mill and sawn timber was transported to Launceston via a tramway. By the lat 1800’s the timber resource was depleted and the area was converted to farmland for cropping and grazing. In the early 1930’s a venture to grow ash trees to supply timber to the Alexander Racquet Factory began. This venture failed and in 1955 the Forestry Commission took over the area. The radiata pine plantations were progressively established and the area was proclaimed a Forest Reserve in 1977. Today it is managed as a recreational reserve and a demonstration forest.
Dry sclerophyll forest dominated by black peppermint
Transitional zone from dry to wet eucalypt
The area contains good examples of dry sclerophyll and wet eucalypt forests with very clear transition zones between them. Factors controlling forest type and species distribution such as fire history, slope and aspect are well illustrated within the Hollybank Forest Reserve.
The radiata pine and eucalypt plantations offer students the chance to compare their ecology with that of the native forest beside them. Northern hemisphere deciduous and softwood trees, which are in a formal arboretum and planted in avenues, enhance opportunities for comparative studies of different species.
forest dominated by brown top stringy bark
Wet eucalypt forest with a musk understorey
Wet eucalypt forest with a dogwood understorey
Mature radiata pine plantation
Young eucalypt plantationThe area contains good examples of dry sclerophyll and wet eucalypt forests with very clear transition zones between them. Factors controlling forest type and species distribution such as fire history, slope and aspect are well illustrated within the Hollybank Forest Reserve.
The radiata pine and eucalypt plantations offer students the chance to compare their ecology with that of the native forest beside them. Northern hemisphere deciduous and softwood trees, which are in a formal arboretum and planted in avenues, enhance opportunities for comparative studies of different species.
There are a number of walking trails in the Reserve with BBQ’s and open areas for games.
The Hollybank Forest Reserve is suitable for half to full day visits and programs can cater from lower Primary to Tertiary groups.